Second person comes forward with complaint against former State Rep. Rochelle Galindo

GREELEY — Greeley Police Chief Mark Jones has confirmed a second person has come forward and filed a complaint with the Greeley Police Department against former Democrat State Rep. Rochelle Galindo.

Jones told Complete Colorado Saturday morning that the complaint was filed last week.

Although police have not confirmed what the allegations are, Galindo stepped down abruptly on May 12, saying “accusations” in a prior complaint against her were false, adding those accusations would make a recall effort launched against her “untenable.”

CBS 4 reporter Shaun Boyd broke the news that the first complaint involves sexual assault, and shortly after House Speaker K.C. Becker confirmed that to several media outlets.

Jones said police thought they would have the investigation completed already, but the new complaint has delayed releasing the report. He now believes his department will have its findings completed by mid-week barring any additional victims coming forward.

Rep, Rochelle Galindo

Galindo, who represented House District 50, a section of Weld County that includes parts of Greeley, Evans and Garden City, ran her campaign on being the first openly lesbian, Latina woman to hold a seat on Greeley City Council and run for state office.

After one year in the General Assembly, Galindo was the first legislator to face recall for her votes on controversial legislation, most notably Senate Bill 181, which will make sweeping and restrictive changes to oil and gas development.

Constituents looking to recall her said she did not best represent her district, of which oil and gas is a major part of the local economy.

Organizers of her recall said they had collected more than the necessary validated signatures needed to force a recall election. They were planning to turn them in more than two weeks ahead of schedule.

A spokeswoman for the group said they will now focus on the 2020 election.

The Weld County Democrats House District 50 Vacancy Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m., on June 2 at the Lincoln Park Library, 1012 11th St. in Greeley to elect a replacement for Galindo.

State rules say her replacement must come from the same party. Applicants must be at least 25, have resided in House District 50 for 12 months and be a registered Democrat for 12 months prior to the election.

Whomever is appointed to fill Galindo’s seat will face re-election in 2020. According to a news release, the vacancy committee is made up of 12 people that are district officers and executive committee members for Weld Democrats residing in House District 50.

Applications can be sent to Jerad Sutton at jeradsutton@gmail.com by May 28 The meeting will be open to the public, but no comments will be allowed.

Comments

Author: Sherrie PeifSherrie Peif is an award winning, veteran reporter covering Colorado politics and the 2018 Governor's race. She enjoys baseball, football, the mountains and cooking. She has one child and one husky.